Tides of change hopefully will cleanse the stench off Hamilton Police Services

Hamilton's police services board has taken the unexpected and somewhat surprising step of choosing an external candidate, Toronto police Staff Superintendent Glenn De Caire, to replace retiring police chief Brian Mullan. Some critics are wondering why one of the force's two deputy chiefs weren't promoted, while others say a new face and leadership is a good thing.-from The Hamilton Spectator, November 20,2009

In my opinion there isn't even a debate here the best candidate should fulfill the position ireespective of their current location. I don't think members of the HPS are good enough for a role as chief. They've been shown examples from Mullan that the police can break the law as they see fit. This has resulted in criminals being freed because the police violated constitutional rights. This has also resulted in innocent people losing everything (Michael Dixon) because their constitutional rights were trampled upon by HPS. The HPS have never been unable to deal with street criminals... But as far back as I can remember, they've been absolutely useless in dealing with the criminals in their own police force. Here's to the future, Chief De Caire please do your best to promote justice which is an inherent right given to us by our Constitution, not by the parts your predecessor saw fit to uphold in order to further his own political agenda.

If I may make one suggestion, much in the media has been made of the efforts the Chief has established in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto in trying to curb the gang and drug activity. Hamilton's Bartonville and surrounding area is a 4.3km forgotten area of crack houses, hookers, sleazy junk shops that area politicians and police have ignored, leaving; the few decent property owners and small businesses owners who care about bring decency back to an area that once was the home of some of the fiercest community pride this city has known, to defend for themselves. Please Mr. De Caire take a walking tour of the area and speak to the deli owner's and the working stiff's like myself who are willing too work for minimum wage to keep a modest home over his head and not take the cowards way out and live off our tax dollars. We need more undercover and uniformed beat cops, camera's and more police backed community and business organizations like ones formed on Ottawa and Stinston Streets.

In other positive moves Bernie Morelli is stepping down as chair of the Police Services Board hard on the heels of the board hiring the new chief of police. It seems right to extend that clean slate all the way to the PSB. New chief. New chair. The air hanging over city government already smells sweeter, it isn't ginger and spice but it's sure better than sh**.

Morelli is a passionate police supporter, maybe too so. Many times accusations of conflict of interest have risen because of the "brotherly" relationship between Morelli and Chief Brian Mullan. The PSB is a civilian board that oversees the chief. It sets the budget and the policy. It can also call for internal investigations when there are allegations of police wrongdoing, of which there have been a few during Morelli's iron fisted reign.

The Community Coalition Against Racism, which accused the police of systemic racism, has said Morelli needs to go. Others, citing the fact Morelli's son is a Hamilton cop and his brother was at one time also on the service, have cried conflict of interest and said he needs to go.

Bringing in De Caire a complete outsider is a stroke of genius, I applaud the oracle keepers who showed some insight, while everyone else was counting on passing the torch to another member of the old guard. For better or worse -- it does wipe the slate clean. De Caire has no affiliation with Hamilton. No friends, no enemies. Hopefully the board will see with the same clarity and pass the torch to someone looking to speak up and not sit idle and be dictated to.

Later,
Kenaz

Chief Brian Mullan lies again

The families of Lucas Deane, Paul Haggerty and the entire community deserve to read today's report on how police botched the surrender of accused double-murderer Corey Rogers. In case you don't remember Lucas, 18, and his 19-year-old friend Paul Haggerty were stabbed to death outside a Barton Street bar in the early hours of Feb. 17. Two other young men were wounded. Within hours Hamilton police arrested Corey Rogers -- who had been named CrimeStoppers Most Wanted the previous month.

Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse must have sprained his wrist patting himself on the back and congratulating his officers for their "good police work." What he didn't say was that exactly one week before the homicides, Corey Rogers called 911, identified himself and said he wanted to turn himself in. Instead of doing their damn job and sending cops over immediately to make the high-risk arrest, the call-taker told Rogers he'd phoned at a bad time and suggested he walk to police headquarters and turn himself in.

Rogers obviously never showed up. Rogers wasn't arrested until he fell into the arms of cops who finally traced the phone call and waited outside his home until he came home. Not exactly the stuff Sherlock Holmes mysteries are made of.

Hamilton police say they are serious about transparency and regaining the public's trust and doing the right thing, then why are they trying to hide the report? The report was delivered today by Niagara police who conducted an impartial review at the request of Mullen, after the debacle. Instead of answers, we only get more questions and that isn't what Lucas Deane's grieving grandparents deserve.

It took ten weeks to get the report, one that both Mullan and board chair Bernie Morelli promised that when the report was ready, they would share it with the public. Morelli further promised the families and public a full accounting of what happened and said his intention is to release the entire report.

Mullan said he called for the external investigation because according to interview with The Spectator "There's an obligation to give a total and accurate depiction to the community as to what happened because the community is concerned" and "we have an obligation to ensure the families know exactly what happened in great detail."

What is Mullan hiding from the public, we deserve the whole report and not and edited one that seems most likely since Morelli has already ran to his lawyers to talk about censoring the report. Enough is enough, the corruption in Hamilton has to end.

Later,
Kenaz

Congradulations Drew Lee

The kid with the iron will and the one who had every citizen in Hamilton last summer full of emotion after he was brutally beaten in an unprovoked attack has returned to school. A remarkable achievement for Drew Lee, considering he had to be induced into a coma for 12 days at McMaster Children's Hospital and had casts on both legs because of his injuries from the Aug. 5 assault.

Also, congratulations to Detective Constable Daryl Reid, the detective oversaw the investigation into the attack and charged an 18-year-old man in December with 16 criminal offences, including aggravated assault. Reid has already received a Crime Stoppers award. He was presented with a police award by Chief Brian Mullan and police board chair Bernie Morelli.

He may walk with a limp and speak like someone who had a stroke, but something tells me he will prove the doctors wrong and some day walk again. Good luck.

Drew was on his way home when he was grabbed and pulled into a parking lot near Main Street East and Sherman Avenue South by a man just after he had parted from friends. Police say the attacker repeatedly kicked and stomped on the boy's head. An elderly woman saw the assault and screamed at the man and he eventually fled as Drew lay motionless in the lot. The scum remains in custody and is awaiting trial dates.

Later,
Kenaz

Re: 'Families enraged at police error' (Column, March 1)

I found this letter to the editor in Saturdays edition of the Spectator. It points out the many outrages mistakes the Hamilton Police have made recently. I've included links to my posts and others on the various subjects.

Let me see if I understand this.

A man police had identified as the most dangerous, most wanted man in the city for the month of January(Corey Rogers) allegedly calls 911 and offers himself to be picked up by police. He is told he should make his own way to the station. He never shows up and, less than two weeks later, is accused of murdering two teens. He's then picked up at his home by police, who pat themselves on the back, according to Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse,(backed up by Chief Mullan) for "good police work." No wonder the victim's grandfather accuses the police of murdering his grandson.

It's mind-boggling and unnerving.

What does it take to spur the police into action? Should the suspect on the phone have also provided a detailed description that he was wanted on charges for robbing and beating a man and leaving him a quadriplegic or for allegedly knocking a man unconscious in a bar fight?

This is the same police service that just recently bungled internal sexual harassment allegations against a senior officer, only to have the charges thrown out because they were filed eight days too late.

This is the same police service currently investigating another group of officers for allegedly drinking while on duty.

(*update of this story since this letter was posted)
***A Hamilton police detective, who was facing seven charges under the Police Services Act, has retired. The revelation came Friday, as a police hearing was to take place in regards to the allegations facing 30 year veteran Larry Larson.

Instead, a tribunal has dropped all seven charges including allegations of drinking on duty, ignoring a robbery call and lying to supervisors, since it no longer has jurisdiction over Larson.

Two other officers have pleaded guilty to lesser misconduct charges, and have had other chargs dropped, in connection with the same incident last April. Constable Jennifer Granatier has been fined three days pay for drinking on duty. Constable Charlene Moses, who pleaded guilty to going to the same home while on duty was fined two days pay.***

Is this supposed to inspire confidence in the delivery and competency of police services in Hamilton? Perhaps it's time for change. Perhaps police services board chair Bernie Morelli should either step down or start asking real questions of the police service under his charge. Hamilton residents expect a higher standard, not a police service apparently rife with incompetence and negligence.

Later,
Kenaz

Lack of evidence, lack of credibility

A couple of issues have arisen this week that I have to throw my two cents in about. Firstly, my support goes out to the three fired Managers within the City of Hamilton's Licencing Department. Licencing Director Tom Redmond, manager Susan McGrath and Co-ordinator Randy Charlton were fired last month in connection with the harassment of a taxi inspector by Councillor Bernie Morelli.

On Friday politicians voted not to reprimand Councillor Bernie Morelli, despite an independent investigator's finding that he indeed had harassed the taxi inspector and should recieve sensitivity training. The deceission was based on lack of evidence.

If the plump goose escaped the knife than its not right for these lambs to go to the slaughter either. They should be given their jobs back.

My second bone to pick is with the the Hamilton Police Service and their inability to get their act together when it comes to dealing with its own officers under the Police Services Act.

It is absolutely unacceptable that two recent police act cases have been lost on a timeline technicality. There is no excuse for not ensuring charges are laid within the allowed timeline or, if there is uncertainty, seeking the extensions permitted under the act.

Dropping the ball in this way, again, eats away at public confidence. This kind of sloppiness fuels public disrespect and cynicism. It also lends fuel to public perceptions that transgressions by police officers are not taken seriously enough and that police protect their own.

The most recent problem comes after 24 harassment-related charges against Sergeant Kevin Dhinsa were thrown out by a police tribunal because they were laid eight days late.

Twelve female Hamilton police employees potentially put their reputations and careers on the line by lodging complaints against Dhinsa. These women showed courage in complaining against one of their own. In return they where disrespected by Hamilton Police Association administrator Brad Boyce who showd lack of morals when he chose to characterize the Dhinsa decission as a "win". His guilt was not established. Neither was his innocence.

Unfortuately, the legal ring isn't the same as a boxing ring, these women do not get a rematch and a chance to rub the smug grin off their opponents face.

Chief Brian Mullan must get a firm handle on this problem because, as he has said before, the buck stops with him. If the people to whom Mullan delegates responsibilities too, don't clean up their acts than the good chief should be prepared to die by the sword of public trust.

Later,
Kenaz